Overview

• UK Research and Innovation has spent nearly £30 million since 2022 on dozens of overseas research projects, most funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council
• Funded studies range from post-war gay erotica and endangered language preservation to recording Syrian folk songs and exploring music therapy for expectant mothers in Africa
• The TaxPayers’ Alliance warns that many grants deliver little or no direct value to British taxpayers and labels some projects as misallocated spending
• The National Audit Office criticises UKRI for lacking coherent direction, measurable objectives and sufficient ministerial oversight across its £9 billion annual budget
• UKRI defends its approach by emphasising independent expert peer review and saying international collaboration drives long-term prosperity and addresses global challenges